Pep Guardiola has cautioned his Manchester City players that they cannot afford too many mistakes between now and the conclusion of the season if they are to win the Premier League again.
Following a 3-1 Premier League victory over Burnley on Wednesday, the Blues regained second place, one spot ahead of Arsenal. Kevin De Bruyne, starting for the first time since August, and Erling Haaland came off the bench.
Guardiola issued a warning following the match that Liverpool and Arsenal represent the two main challenges standing in the way of City’s quest for a fourth straight league crown, despite the fact that they appear to have everything needed for another title challenge.
The fact that we are present is what matters, the five-time Premier League winner stated. “Now that the season is counting down, I am aware that there were a lot of games played in the early going. We also know that if we lose points against teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, and perhaps even one more, then…
“One game at a time, one step at a time,” We accomplished it, and I believe we will do it once more. Although there are a lot of games in February, everyone is aware that we are playing the same Liverpool team that we have been playing against for the past seven or eight years.
Arsenal, since Mikel brought the team together and they are currently there. They don’t seem like they will give up a lot of points. We must therefore win as many games as we can. One by one, and then we’ll see what transpires.
Although they have a game in hand, City is five points behind leaders Liverpool in the title fight. The Reds won the league for the fourth time in a row on Wednesday, defeating Chelsea 4-1 thanks to a comfortable performance.
Guardiola believes his former rivals will give fierce competition once more because the Merseyside club is still playing in three cup tournaments and has extra motivation now that Jurgen Klopp is leaving.
We had the conviction that Liverpool would not lose, which is why we won a lot of games in a row, he clarified. We need to be prepared because we are feeling that way right now and it looks like they are winning handily. Both us and the players are aware that we need to be prepared.
“I don’t think it’s just three,” he continued. Both Aston Villa and Tottenham are still in the game. It might alter. I get the impression that Arsenal controls a lot of the game when I watch them play, and Liverpool does the same.
Every time you watch a game, the team is superior to their opponent. Of course, they can lose games, but overall, they are superior. Even though I am aware of their strength, we nonetheless want to go on. The most crucial thing is that we are present.
